Provincewide ban ends, but wildfires still blaze
A provincewide fire ban was lifted Friday afternoon, but bans are still in place in many parts of the province because the wildfire outlook remains severe, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency says.
Executive director of provincial operations Scott Long said overall conditions have improved. On Friday afternoon, there were 41 wildfires burning in the province, with five fires out of control.
“With the hard work of the men and women on the front lines and a little help from the weather, we’re making headway,” Long said.
Though cooler temperatures and precipitation are helping much of the province, the wet weather has not reduced the wildfire hazard in northern Alberta.
The largest fire near Cold Lake remains out of control and has grown since Thursday from to 25,000 hectares from 20,000. However, Long said the fire does not pose an imminent threat to any communities or industry facilities.
“The fire size may grow over the next day, but that growth is anticipated to be moving away from critical infrastructure,” Long said.
However, the two oilsands operations closest to the out-of-control blaze, Cenovus Energy and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., remain evacuated.
The air quality advisories Alberta Health Services issued specifically for Cold Lake and for the entire northern part of the province and Edmonton area remain in effect. However, the Lethbridge area advisory was lifted.
Long expressed thanks to the more than 273 firefighters from other provinces who were brought in to help.
He said as of Friday, about 1,700 firefighters were battling wildfires across the province.
“We appreciate having more expert boots on the ground to help swing axes, pile pumps and run the hoses in very difficult and challenging conditions,” he said.
Earlier this week, nearly 5,000 people were evacuated form their homes because of wildfires, but have since been allowed to return.
Since April 1, 748 fires and 43,358 hectares have burned in Alberta.
There is still a fire ban for Edmonton and much of the surrounding area, though St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Leduc have had bans lifted.
Information about local fire bans can be found at albertafirebans. ca.